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Share this Story: Call of the wild: Expect more wildlife to venture into Edmonton as COVID-19 hushes activity

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Expect to see more wildlife including moose, deer and coyotes in the city now that there is less traffic on Edmonton roads, suggests a University of Alberta researcher.

“Animals that are usually inhibited by heavy traffic on the freeways that circle Edmonton are a lot less inhibited now,” biological science professor Colleen St. Clair said last week. “Although they do manage to cross those roads under normal circumstances, there’s a pretty high mortality rate, especially this time of the year during spring and fall.”

Call of the wild: Expect more wildlife to venture into Edmonton as COVID-19 hushes activityBack to video

Olga Messinis, the city’s director of traffic operations, said in an email last week there has been a steady decrease in the average daily traffic volume since March 16 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are currently seeing a 50 per cent reduction in typical traffic volumes around the city,” Messinis said.

St. Clair said deer, moose and coyotes are the most likely to make their way into the city from the region, although it is possible other animals like bears could come in as well. The river valley remains the best entry point for all animals, she said.

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Animals have already changed their habits based on traffic. Coyotes, for example, are normally active during the day but some have adapted to going out at night. This has allowed them to avoid rush hour traffic, which St. Clair said is reflected by what animals are killed.

“That’s just a little aside on how we know a bit about Edmonton wildlife,” she said.

The city’s coyote population is estimated to be between 500 to 1,000.

Chrystal Coleman, a communications advisor with the City of Edmonton, said there have been 107 complaints of coyote sightings from March 13, the day when the province first cracked down on mass gatherings, to April 14. Over the same time period last year, there were 121 complaints of coyotes.

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The city reported three dead coyotes in 2019 and two so far this year. Coleman said an additional three had to be euthanized this year because they were injured or immobile.

St. Clair said the city offers a lot of benefits to animals including shelter from predators and a source of food. She said she is currently working with the city’s ecological planner to study Edmonton’s urban wildlife. The results of that research are expected to be released next year.

Carla Jones, a communications advisor for Alberta Justice and Solicitor General, said in an email Friday Alberta Fish and Wildlife have not been involved in any shooting or poisoning of coyotes in the Edmonton area.

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“In general, under Alberta’s wildlife legislation, municipalities are authorized to handle various species of wildlife, including coyotes, on their own land base,” Jones said. “Fish and wildlife officers will only respond to situations where contact has been made with a human and an imminent public safety risk exists.”

Edmonton fish and wildlife officers have received two complaints of coyotes being shot or poisoned within the last few months. In November 2019, officers received a report of a coyote being shot from a vehicle on the road but the investigation hasn’t yet been resolved. In January, officers received an unconfirmed report of a coyote being poisoned.

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Edmontonians have had plenty of encounters with wildlife over the years.

Last year in April, Todd Currie, who lives in North Glenora, came face-to-face with a lynx on his front lawn. He had let his purebred Havanese dogs outside in the backyard but rushed to bring them back inside after spotting the animal.

This wasn’t the first time a big cat was spotted in the city as another was reported around Scona Road in 2014. On average, there are about two sightings each year.

To help keep critters moving safely, the city started working with community groups and developers in 2007 to establish terrestrial wildlife passages.

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